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Vaccinium stamineum
Vaccinium stamineum L.
Deerberry
Ericaceae (Heath Family)
Synonym(s): Polycodium ashei, Polycodium candicans, Polycodium depressum, Polycodium floridanum, Polycodium leptosepalum, Polycodium macilentum, Polycodium melanocarpum, Polycodium neglectum, Polycodium stamineum, Vaccinium caesium, Vaccinium melanocarpum, Vaccinium neglectum, Vaccinium stamineum var. candicans, Vaccinium stamineum var. interius, Vaccinium stamineum var. melanocarpum, Vaccinium stamineum var. neglectum
USDA Symbol: VAST
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A much-branched, globular-shaped shrub, usually 6-12 ft. Foliage turns a variety of colors through the seasons Nodding, greenish-white, pink tinged, bell-shaped flowers. Greenish to blue-black berries often have a whitish bloom.
Birds and mammals eat berries. This is a variable species, due, most likely, to hybridization with other species.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 15 feet tall, often much shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Green, Blue
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: WhiteBloom Time: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MO , MS , NC , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WVCanada: ON
Native Distribution: ME to s. IN & MO, s. to FL & TX
Native Habitat: Dry, open woods; floodplain thickets
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Moist to droughty, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Susceptible to chlorosis due to alkalinity. This is a variable species, due, most likely, to hybridization with other species.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Birds and mammals eat berries.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Bumble Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Vaccinium stamineum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Vaccinium stamineum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Vaccinium stamineum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-21Research By: TWC Staff